The Grand Forks, North Dakota city council recently approved a resolution to present to the state the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians’ plans for a proposed casino that the tribe claimed would provide 0 million in gaming revenue and create 1,000 jobs. The project requires the governor’s permission, a change in state law allowing an off-reservation casino and federal approval. Tribal Chairman Richard McCloud said, “If we don’t work side by side and step by step to pursue this, of course it will never happen.”
Council President Hal Gershman said, “We’re not giving tacit approval of a casino. This is to continue the dialogue and flesh out these things.”
City Administrator Todd Feland concurred, noting the tribe only was asking whether the council supported a potentially significant economic development project. He said the details would be developed later.
Tribal attorney Richard Monette reminded the council that over the past 20 years, investors have approached the tribe about bringing a casino to Grand Forks, but the local government has not been enthusiastic. “If we can’t do this together, it cannot be done. We won’t go without you,”
Monette said.
Councilman Terry Bjerke, the sole council opposed to the plan, said, “I’d say you have less than a 1 percent chance of having the state law changed.”
